James Hines
Jim Hines is a computer scientist, working with USGS and non-agency biologists developing methods and computer software for estimation of ecological parameters. He also maintains a web-server used to communicate results of the North American Breeding Bird Survey as well as software written by current and former EESC scientists.
Jim Hines started with the USFWS in 1977 as a part-time computer clerk. After obtaining a BS in Math, he became a full-time computer programmer, then computer specialist and computer scientist. He is co-author on 2 books,
Professional Experience
1977-present USFWS, NBS, USGS - Computer clerk, programmer, specialist, scientist.
Education and Certifications
Hon Dsc. University of Florda, 2023
B.S. University of Maryland, Mathematics, 1979.
Honors and Awards
2016 - Biometrics Working Group Special Recognition Award
2015 - U.S. Geological Survey Distinguished Service Award
2012 - U.S. Geological Survey Meritorious Service Award
2012 - The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Publication Award for Book
1991 - The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Publication Award for Monograph
Science and Products
Testing life history predictions in a long-lived seabird: A population matrix approach with improved parameter estimation
Population dynamics of the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis): a meta-analysis
On the use of capture-recapture models in mist-net studies
Estimation of sex-specific survival from capture-recapture data when sex is not always known
Detecting warning signs of trouble within population fluctuations: using capture-recapture modeling to uncover changes in population dynamics leading to declines
Computing and software
Modeling interpopulation dispersal by banner-tailed kangaroo rats
Estimating site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly
Estimating site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly
On the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models
Survival and recovery rates of American woodcock banded in Michigan
Sexual selection affects local extinction and turnover in bird communities
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 223
Testing life history predictions in a long-lived seabird: A population matrix approach with improved parameter estimation
Life history theory and associated empirical generalizations predict that population growth rate (λ) in long-lived animals should be most sensitive to adult survival; the rates to which λ is most sensitive should be those with the smallest temporal variances; and stochastic environmental events should most affect the rates to which λ is least sensitive. To date, most analyses attempting to examineAuthorsP.F. Doherty, E.A. Schreiber, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines, W. A. Link, G.A. Schenk, R.W. SchreiberPopulation dynamics of the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis): a meta-analysis
We conducted a meta-analysis to provide a current assessment of the population characteristics of California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) resident on four study areas in the Sierra Nevada and one study area in southern California. Our meta-analysis followed rigorous a priori analysis protocols, which we derived through extensive discussion during a week-long analysis workshop. BAuthorsA.B. Franklin, R. J. Gutierrez, J. D. Nichols, M.E. Seamans, Gary C. White, G.S. Zimmerman, J. E. Hines, T.E. Munton, W.S. LaHaye, J.A. Blakesley, G.N. Steger, B.R. Noon, D.W.H. Shaw, J.J. Keane, T. L. McDonald, S. BrittingOn the use of capture-recapture models in mist-net studies
Capture-recapture models provide a statistical framework for estimating population parameters from mist-net data. Although Cormack-Jolly-Seber and related models have recently been used to estimate survival rates of birds sampled with mist nets, we believe that the full potential for use of capture-recapture models has not been realized by many researchers involved in mist-net studies. We presentAuthorsW. L. Kendall, J.R. Sauer, J. D. Nichols, R. Pradel, J. E. HinesEstimation of sex-specific survival from capture-recapture data when sex is not always known
Many animals lack obvious sexual dimorphism, making assignment of sex difficult even for observed or captured animals. For many such species it is possible to assign sex with certainty only at some occasions; for example, when they exhibit certain types of behavior. A common approach to handling this situation in capture-recapture studies has been to group capture histories into those of animals eAuthorsJ. D. Nichols, W. L. Kendall, J. E. Hines, J. A. SpendelowDetecting warning signs of trouble within population fluctuations: using capture-recapture modeling to uncover changes in population dynamics leading to declines
An intensive mark-recapture/resighting program has been carried out on the Roseate Terns nesting at Falkner Island, Connecticut, since the late 1980s as part of a regional study of the metapopulation dynamics and ecology of the endangered Northwest Atlantic breeding population of this species. Substantial losses of tern eggs and chicks to predation at this colony site began in 1996 when at leastAuthorsJ. A. Spendelow, J. D. Nichols, W. L. Kendall, J. E. Hines, J. S. Hatfield, I.C.T. NisbetComputing and software
The reality is that the statistical methods used for analysis of data depend upon the availability of software. Analysis of marked animal data is no different than the rest of the statistical field. The methods used for analysis are those that are available in reliable software packages. Thus, the critical importance of having reliable, up–to–date software available to biologists is obvious. StatiAuthorsGary C. White, J. E. HinesModeling interpopulation dispersal by banner-tailed kangaroo rats
Many metapopulation models assume rules of population connectivity that are implicitly based on what we know about within-population dispersal, but especially for vertebrates, few data exist to assess whether interpopulation dispersal is just within-population dispersal "scaled up." We extended existing multi-stratum mark-release-recapture models to incorporate the robust design, allowing us to coAuthorsJ.L. Skvarla, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines, P.M. WaserEstimating site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly
Few species are likely to be so evident that they will always be detected when present. Failing to allow for the possibility that a target species was present, but undetected, at a site will lead to biased estimates of site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction probabilities. These population vital rates are often of interest in long-term monitoring programs and metapopulation studies. WeAuthorsD.I. MacKenzie, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines, M. G. Knutson, A.B. FranklinEstimating site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly
Few species are likely to be so evident that they will always be defected when present: Failing to allow for the possibility that a target species was present, but undetected at a site will lead to biased estimates of site occupancy, colonization,and local extinction probabilities. These population vital rates are often of interest in long-term monitoring programs and metapopulation studies. We prAuthorsD.I. MacKenzie, J. D. Nichols, J. E. Hines, M. G. Knutson, A.B. FranklinOn the use of the robust design with transient capture-recapture models
Capture-mark-recapture studies provide a useful mechanism for estimating the components of the population dynamics of birds, especially survival. In such studies, it is important that the population being captured matches the population of interest. In many studies, transients are captured along with the population of interest (e.g. resident breeders). Ignoring that phenomenon produces negativelAuthorsJ. E. Hines, W. L. Kendall, J. D. NicholsSurvival and recovery rates of American woodcock banded in Michigan
American woodcock (Scolopax minor) population indices have declined since U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) monitoring began in 1968. Management to stop and/or reverse this population trend has been hampered by the lack of recent information on woodcock population parameters. Without recent information on survival rate trends, managers have had to assume that the recent declines in recruitmenAuthorsDavid G. Krementz, James E. Hines, David R. LuukkonenSexual selection affects local extinction and turnover in bird communities
Predicting extinction risks has become a central goal for conservation and evolutionary biologists interested in population and community dynamics. Several factors have been put forward to explain risks of extinction, including ecological and life history characteristics of individuals. For instance, factors that affect the balance between natality and mortality can have profound effects on popuAuthorsPaul F. Doherty, G. Sorci, J. Andrew Royle, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols, T. Boulinier - Web Tools
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